On October 30th this year, Sigmund performed with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK) in Os in Østerdalen i central Norway. The Johan Øian centenary concert included performances from Tor Espen Aspaas, Tone Hulbækmo, Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, Marianne Pentta and of course the Wizard of the Harmonica, Sigmund Groven. Sigmund actually played with John Øian several times.

The concert was held to mark the 100th anniversary of Johan Øian (1915 -1973), musician and composer. He became the first and only regular pianist of KORK. He composed and performed within a variety of genres and platforms, including popular children’s tunes such as Helene Harefrøken, Bolla Pinnsvin, Nøtteliten and others.

This concert will be broadcast on NRK P2 on November 19th at 7.30 pm and will also be streamed here.

Did you know that at one point, Sigmund’s album out-sold pop stars Mariah Carey and Elton John in the pop charts in South Korea, even though he had never played there? Since then, and beginning in 2001, Sigmund has toured the country several times, and this year was no exception. Earlier this month, Sigmund played concerts in Daegu, Dangjin, Incheon and Nowon. The harmonica has its roots in East Asia, and one of the mouth organs, such as the Korean seng-hwang goes back centuries.–Maybe the melancholy streak in my music and the nostalgic sound of my harmonica affects the emotions of the Korean people who have had so many tragic periods in their history. I always enjoy playing for Korean audiences, they are truly appreciative, Sigmund says about his Korean friends.

On May 19, 2015 Sigmund Groven was one of the performers at a concert at Steinhuset (“The stone house”), a Medieval building dating back to the 13th century. The concert also featured singer Tone Elisabeth Braaten, singer and guitarist Lars Klevstrand and pianist Ivar Anton Waagaard. The theme for the concert was “Longing, life and song” and showcased a variety of Norwegian folk songs, old instrumentals and melodies from the past.